TOGETHER – Pastor McLean Faw
Acts 2:42-43 (NLT) – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.”
Acts 2:44-45 (NLT) – “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared their money with those in need.”
Acts 2:46-47 (NLT) – “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Genesis 2:18a (NKJV) – And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone…”
Psalm 68:6a (NLT) – “God places the lonely in families...”
Acts 2:42 (NLT) – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s supper), and to prayer.”
Fellowship – Koinonia, Community, Spiritual Unity and Community
How do we live together as a community in the family of God?
1. WE WORSHIP TOGETHER
Acts 2:46a (NLT) – “They worshiped together at the Temple each day...”
1 Corinthians 12:18 (NKJV) – “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the Body, just as He pleased.”
We Are a Worshiping Community Reaching the World!
2. WE EAT TOGETHER
Acts 2:46 (NLT) – “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.”
Acts 2:46 (NKJV) – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
3. WE READ THE WORD OF GOD TOGETHER AND PRAY
Acts 2:42 (NLT) – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
We Need God’s People in Our Lives!
4. WE CAN LAUGH AND REJOICE TOGETHER
Acts 2:46b (NKJV) – “…they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
Acts 2:46b (NLT) – “…and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – “
Acts 13:52 (NIV) – “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
They laughed together. They rejoiced together.
5. WE CAN SERVE THE LORD TOGETHER
Mark 10:45 (NIV) – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 16:15 (NLT) – And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good news to everyone.”
T – Take a step into community.
O – Open your heart to the Lord and His people.
G – Go to a Wednesday night dinner in the coffee shop.
E – Enjoy other people as the Holy Spirit helps you.
T – Turn away from isolation and the fear of rejection.
H –Help serve in some capacity in the Body of Christ.
E – Enter into worship with God’s people and into community with His people.
R – Reach out to those who are alone, lonely, and isolated.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you share a time in your life when you felt lonely and isolated?
2. How did the Lord minister to you and bring you through?
3. Why is community sometimes challenging for us?
4. What is one step the Holy Spirit is inviting you to take into deeper community at Joy Church?
5. What is one step the Holy Spirit is calling you to take into deeper communion with Him?
6. Are you willing to say “yes” to these two invitations?
7. If you are struggling to say “yes,” are you willing to be made willing?
